Limits of quotients
Guided practice — solve each problem, check, then generate a fresh one.
Formula to apply
lim_{x→a} (x² − a²)/(x − a) = 2a
Problem
Evaluate lim_{x→3} (x² − 9) / (x − 3).
Working
- 1Factor the numerator: x² − 9 = (x − 3)(x + 3).
- 2Cancel: f(x) = x + 3 for x ≠ 3.
- 3Substitute x = 3: the limit is 3 + 3 = 6.